2 maccabees 9:17 - and, beside all this, that he would become a Jew, and would visit every inhabited place, publishing abroad the might of God.
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What does "2 maccabees 9:17" mean?
This verse, 2 Maccabees 9:17, describes the supposed intentions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes after he fell seriously ill and believed he was dying. It's a statement of repentance, or rather, a desperate attempt to appease God and potentially save himself. Let's break down the meaning:
"and, beside all this...": This refers to previous promises or actions Antiochus supposedly took in an attempt to appease God. The preceding verses mention his prayers, offerings, and promises to beautify Jerusalem and restore the holy vessels.
"...that he would become a Jew...": This is the most striking part. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a Seleucid king of Greek descent. He had actively suppressed Jewish religious practices and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem, actions that led to the Maccabean revolt. The idea that he would convert to Judaism is a complete reversal of his previous policies. It signifies a total surrender to the God of Israel, a recognition of the power and authority he had previously denied.
"...and would visit every inhabited place, publishing abroad the might of God.": This means Antiochus would travel to all populated areas to proclaim the power and greatness of the Jewish God. This would involve public acknowledgements and testimonies, reversing his previous attempts to suppress the worship of God. It would essentially be a mission to spread the word of God to all people, a remarkable conversion and public proclamation of faith.
In essence, this verse portrays Antiochus IV Epiphanes, on his deathbed, promising to convert to Judaism and become a missionary for the Jewish God, if only he could be healed. It highlights the desperation and fear that can drive even the most powerful of individuals to seek divine intervention.
Historical Context and Interpretation:
Propaganda and Judgment: The book of 2 Maccabees is a religious narrative, and it presents Antiochus's death as divine judgment for his persecution of the Jews. This passage can be seen as emphasizing the complete humiliation and defeat of Antiochus.
Doubtful Sincerity: Whether Antiochus was truly sincere in these promises is highly questionable. It's more likely that this is a literary device used to show the ultimate triumph of God over his enemies.
Literary Device: The deathbed conversion, as depicted here, is not meant to be taken as a historical fact necessarily, but as a theological statement. Antiochus's promises are a symbolic recognition of the power and truth of the God of Israel.
In conclusion, this verse from 2 Maccabees portrays a dramatic and improbable scenario where the tyrannical Antiochus IV Epiphanes, facing death, promises to convert to Judaism and spread the word of God. It serves as a powerful statement of divine justice and the ultimate victory of God over his enemies, rather than a literal historical account of Antiochus's final intentions.
2 maccabees 9:17 - and, beside all this, that he would become a Jew, and would visit every inhabited place, publishing abroad the might of God.
What does "2 maccabees 9:17" mean?
This verse, 2 Maccabees 9:17, describes the supposed intentions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes after he fell seriously ill and believed he was dying. It's a statement of repentance, or rather, a desperate attempt to appease God and potentially save himself. Let's break down the meaning:
"and, beside all this...": This refers to previous promises or actions Antiochus supposedly took in an attempt to appease God. The preceding verses mention his prayers, offerings, and promises to beautify Jerusalem and restore the holy vessels.
"...that he would become a Jew...": This is the most striking part. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a Seleucid king of Greek descent. He had actively suppressed Jewish religious practices and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem, actions that led to the Maccabean revolt. The idea that he would convert to Judaism is a complete reversal of his previous policies. It signifies a total surrender to the God of Israel, a recognition of the power and authority he had previously denied.
"...and would visit every inhabited place, publishing abroad the might of God.": This means Antiochus would travel to all populated areas to proclaim the power and greatness of the Jewish God. This would involve public acknowledgements and testimonies, reversing his previous attempts to suppress the worship of God. It would essentially be a mission to spread the word of God to all people, a remarkable conversion and public proclamation of faith.
In essence, this verse portrays Antiochus IV Epiphanes, on his deathbed, promising to convert to Judaism and become a missionary for the Jewish God, if only he could be healed. It highlights the desperation and fear that can drive even the most powerful of individuals to seek divine intervention.
Historical Context and Interpretation:
Propaganda and Judgment: The book of 2 Maccabees is a religious narrative, and it presents Antiochus's death as divine judgment for his persecution of the Jews. This passage can be seen as emphasizing the complete humiliation and defeat of Antiochus.
Doubtful Sincerity: Whether Antiochus was truly sincere in these promises is highly questionable. It's more likely that this is a literary device used to show the ultimate triumph of God over his enemies.
Literary Device: The deathbed conversion, as depicted here, is not meant to be taken as a historical fact necessarily, but as a theological statement. Antiochus's promises are a symbolic recognition of the power and truth of the God of Israel.
In conclusion, this verse from 2 Maccabees portrays a dramatic and improbable scenario where the tyrannical Antiochus IV Epiphanes, facing death, promises to convert to Judaism and spread the word of God. It serves as a powerful statement of divine justice and the ultimate victory of God over his enemies, rather than a literal historical account of Antiochus's final intentions.